Looters ‘pose as firefighters’ to steal from Hollywood stars’ properties as award nicked
The burnt out homes belonging to some of Hollywood’s elite, including Sir Anthony Hopkins and Paris Hilton, are now at risk of being rifled through by low-life looters dressed as firefighters
Looters have begun targeting Hollywood’s A-list homes, with police already recovering a coveted Emmy award.
Criminals, some posing as firefighters, have rifled through the houses of the rich and famous that were left abandoned in mandatory evacuation zones. The neighbourhoods are home to many of Hollywood’s elite.
Multiple stars, including Sir Anthony Hopkins, Adam Brody and Leighton Meester, Paris Hilton, Cameron Mathison, Billy Crystal, and Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, have lost their homes to the flames, which began on January 7. However, dozens of other high-profile stars have been ordered to flee their houses, leaving their properties vulnerable to theft.
READ MORE: Mask-clad ‘Grindr gang’ jailed after preying on dating apps to rob men of £100,000READ MORE: Peter Andre ‘petrified’ for his kids after 14-year-old stabbed to death on bus
Among the stolen items recovered by police is an Emmy Award, along with almost £200,000 in valuables taken from properties in areas like Pacific Palisades and Mandeville Canyon.
“These crimes are not only appalling but a brazen attack on our community during a time of unimaginable loss and grief,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said.
Police have charged nine individuals with burglary and looting, including suspects accused of stealing the Emmy statuette from an Altadena home.
Another trio is alleged to have broken into a Mandeville Canyon residence, making off with jewellery, cash, and other valuables from the upscale property.
Officials suspect the looters deliberately targeted high-profile neighbourhoods, drawn by the likelihood of valuable items left behind.
Authorities also revealed that some suspects posed as firefighters to bypass security and enter evacuation zones, exploiting the chaos of the wildfires to prey on vulnerable residents.
“Let me be clear: If you exploit this tragedy to target victims of these devastating fires, especially those who have already lost so much, we will find you, and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law,” Hochman warned.
The wildfires have scorched more than 35,000 acres and destroyed over 12,000 structures, forcing thousands to flee their homes.
The Palisades and Eaton fire zones – known for their multimillion-dollar properties and celebrity residents – have become prime targets for looters, further compounding the fear and anguish among evacuees.
Officials have ramped up security in response, deploying National Guard military police alongside local officers and California Highway Patrol to patrol evacuation zones and man checkpoints.
Dozens of individuals have been arrested for violating closure orders and authorities have promised to crack down hard on anyone caught taking advantage of the crisis.
“These looters are preying on people who are at their most vulnerable – people who have already lost so much to these fires,” Hochman said.
“The question is not if, but when, they will be caught. This is an attack on our entire community.”
While the recovered Emmy Award – the Oscars of the TV world – adds a high-profile element to the crimes, authorities have declined to reveal the award’s owner.
Officials have confirmed that several suspects have lengthy criminal records, meaning they could face significant prison sentences if convicted.
The devastated areas of Pacific Palisades, Mandeville Canyon, and Eaton remain under tight control, with media crews, firefighters, and utility workers among the few allowed past checkpoints. Law enforcement has sought to reassure evacuees that their homes and remaining possessions are under vigilant protection.
